Jensen 's eyes flew open, heart pounding hard and fast in his chest as he sat up straight. The dream had felt so real. He glanced at the clock; 3:34 am. It was still a few hours until sunrise, and if it hadn't been for the noise coming from downstairs Jensen would have fallen back asleep. But now he's wide awake, and he feels like there's no point lying back down when sleep might not come this time. After a couple seconds of staring at his bedroom ceiling and then the closet where his clothes usually are, he stands and heads towards the bathroom. As soon as he gets out, he's changed into a pair of jeans and an old, faded white tshirt. Then he makes his way downstairs.
He finds his mum who has just gotten off her night shift duty looking all weary and tired. She smiles when she sees him and pulls him close in for a hug. For one second they're both silent before she says softly,
"You okay kiddo?"